Blanchard and Gilbert Join 'Little House' Musical

The Guthrie today unveiled a mix of familiar faces and rising stars as it announced casting for the world premiere production of the new musical LITTLE HOUSE ON THE PRAIRIE, directed by Francesca Zambello. Previews begin July 26, with opening night set for August 15 and performances continuing through October 5. Single tickets are priced from $29 to $69, with opening night prices ranging from $54 to $75. Tickets go on sale June 27 at 10 a.m. through the Guthrie Box Office at 612.377.2224, toll-free 877.44.STAGE and online at www.guthrietheater.org.

Broadway veteran Steve Blanchard (eight years as the "Beast" in Disney's Beauty and the Beast) leads the Ingalls family through the joys and hardship of pioneer life as Charles "Pa" Ingalls. Melissa Gilbert, best known for her work in the 1970s television series, returns to her Little House roots to play Caroline "Ma" Ingalls, with her signature character Laura coming to life on the musical stage through the talents of Kara Lindsay, a 2007 graduate of Carnegie Mellon University. Jenn Gambatese (Broadway's All Shook Up and Disney's Tarzan) plays the role of eldest daughter Mary, a character who struggles with scarlet fever and its resulting blindness. Rounding out the Ingalls family as Carrie, 14-year-old Twin Cities native Maeve Moynihan (A Christmas Carol, 2003-2005) returns to the Guthrie stage following numerous roles at the Tony Award-winning Children's Theatre Company.

The cast also features Sara Jean Ford (currently starring as Christine in the Broadway National Tour of Phantom of the Opera) as the prissy, spoiled and manipulative Nellie Oleson, and Kevin Massey (Broadway's Tarzan and Big River), who brings romance to the prairie as Almanzo Wilder.

Ensemble members include Tori Adams, Mathias Anderson, Lexy Armour, Robert O. Berdahl, Kurt Engh, Shawn Hamilton, Caroline Innerbichler, Norah Long, Ryan McCartan, Addi McDaniel, Mary Jo Mecca, Prince Michael Okolie, James Ramlet, David L. Ruffin, Gayle Samuels, Amy Schroeder, Tony Vierling and Jordan Young.

"Our search for Laura and her family took us to Chicago, New York and Minneapolis, where we must have seen a thousand hopefuls, many who arrived carrying their favorite Little House books," said Zambello. "During the readings in Minneapolis and New York, Melissa and Kara were invaluable fixtures, so I am excited that their commitment continues to the premiere production at the Guthrie, and equally happy to have a number of Minnesota actors helping to create this new work."

Zambello recently made her Broadway debut directing Disney's The Little Mermaid and leads an accomplished creative team for Little House. As previously announced, the production features a book by Tony Award-winning writer Rachel Sheinkin (The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee) and music by Academy Award-winning film composer Rachel Portman (Emma). Donna DiNovelli, whose work has been presented at The Public Theater, New York City Opera and Joe's Pub, provides the lyrics.

The artistic team includes Adrianne Lobel (Set Designer), Jess Goldstein (Costume Designer), Mark McCullough (Lighting Designer), Scott W. Edwards (Sound Designer), Mary-Mitchell Campbell (Musical Supervisor/Conductor), Michele Lynch (Choreographer), Larry Hochman (Orchestrations), Jo Holcomb (Dramaturgy), Tim Federle (Associate Director/Associate Choreographer), John M. Galo (Stage Manager), Jill B. Gounder (Assistant Stage Manager) and Michele Harms (Assistant Stage Manager). Little House on the Prairie is being produced at the Guthrie by special arrangement with Global Prairie Productions, Inc.

Though their DeSmet, South Dakota, farmstead comes with many new challenges, the Ingalls family perseveres through the hardships of pioneer life to find hope, love and the promise of a new beginning in a land of endless sky and open prairie. As Laura struggles to overcome a lifelong loathing of school and frequent battles with a town rival, her older sister's sudden blindness and a harsh winter blizzard test the independent spirit of this young pioneer. Forced to grow up quickly, she follows an unexpected calling, becoming a teacher and finding love on the prairie.

The Guthrie Theater, founded in 1963, is an American center for theater performance, production, education and professional training. The Guthrie is dedicated to producing the great works of dramatic literature, developing the work of contemporary playwrights and cultivating the next generation of theater artists. Led by Director Joe Dowling since 1995, the Guthrie opened their new three-theater home on the banks of the Mississippi River in Minneapolis in June 2006.

The Guthrie is located at 818 South 2nd Street (at Chicago Avenue), in downtown Minneapolis. To purchase tickets or season subscriptions call the Guthrie Box Office between 10 a.m. and 8 p.m. daily at 612.377.2224 or toll-free 877.44.STAGE. For more information, or to purchase tickets online, visit www.guthrietheater.org. 

Photo Credit Walter McBride/Retna Ltd.